How To Make Spine Surgery Safe?

Spine surgery, though often necessary for addressing various spinal conditions, can be a scary prospect. However, according to recent studies, spine surgery has significantly improved patient outcomes, with success rates ranging from 70% to 95%, depending on the procedure and the patient’s condition.

Ensuring the safety of such procedures is paramount to successful outcomes. In this blog, we’ll explore essential steps to demystify spine surgery and empower you with knowledge on making it a safer experience.

Why Is Safety Important?

Spine surgery is a complex process that needs careful skill and know-how. The aim is to ease pain, fix problems, and make your spine healthier. But, just like any surgery, there are some risks involved. To ensure things go well, doing things ahead is essential to lower these risks and make them safer. This way, it is assured that the patient has a good outcome and feels better without any problems.

Dr. Puneet Girdhar is an accomplished robotic spine surgeon with extensive experience, performing many spine surgeries annually. His expertise focuses on minimizing complications and ensuring successful outcomes. With a 90% to 95% success rate, Dr. Girdhar prioritizes patient safety and utilizes advanced techniques, such as minimally invasive procedures, enhancing spine surgery’s overall effectiveness and safety.

What Makes Spine Surgery Safe?

Compared to a few years ago, many more minimally invasive spine surgeries are performed nowadays. The rate of complications has reduced significantly with advanced and modern technology.

The experience of the spine surgeons themselves plays a significant role in reducing the complications of spine surgery. It has been shown that surgeons who perform more than 50 spine surgeries in a year have a significantly lower complication rate than surgeons who perform less than 50 cases per year. If you need spine surgery, make sure you choose a surgeon with adequate experience in spine surgery.

Other than the operators, modern technology is important in making spine surgery safe.

High-definition microscope: The surgical microscope has revolutionized modern spine surgery. The significant advantages of the microscope include better illumination, magnification, and coaxial vision. The operating microscope and microsurgical instruments can reduce the chance of accidental neurological injury, thus improving the procedure’s safety.
High-speed surgical burr and surgical bone scalpel: Utilisation of these instruments helps in improving precision during bone cuts and reduces the chance of accidental damage to the dura and neural structures. They also significantly reduce the duration of surgery, which is beneficial in terms of surgical outcome and economy.
Intra-Operative Neuromonitoring (IONM): Neuromonitoring is crucial in deformity surgeries, such as scoliosis and kyphosis, preventing neurodeficit during spinal manipulations. Its phenomenal role extends to intra-dural surgeries, guiding optimal tumor resection with added safety. It also helps in avoiding neural damage due to malpositioned screws. With this equipment and neurologist interpretation, we achieved suitable deformity corrections and margin-free tumor resection.
Navigation-assisted surgery: In complex deformity, where the anatomy is severely deranged, navigation (CT-based and image intensifier–based) makes the process of pedicle screw insertion safer and more accessible. It is also utilized during high cervical and revision spine surgeries.
Ultrasonic curator and cutter: Using ultrasonic cutting technology, an ultrasonic machine removes tumors, either soft or calcified, precisely. This is also used to make accurate cuts in the vertebrae body or bone.
Post-operative care and rehabilitation: These two factors are necessary for early recovery and long-term good outcomes. A spine-specialized physiotherapist assesses the patient on the first postoperative day and starts early mobilization and relevant exercises depending on the patient’s functional status. As per WHO, rehabilitation is “a set of interventions designed to optimize functioning and reduce disability in individuals with health conditions in interaction with their environment” and is a part of care to bring patients to their pre-ailment functional level.

A happy patient shared, “I was scared about spine surgery, but Dr. Puneet Girdhar and his team made it a smooth journey. The advanced tech they used, like the microscope and neuromonitoring, impressed me. My recovery was faster than expected, and now I feel much better. Thanks, Dr. Girdhar!”

“Choosing Dr. Girdhar for my spine surgery was the best decision. The personalized care, modern tools, and expertise were outstanding. The cost was reasonable, and I’m back to my active life. Highly recommend for a safe and successful spine surgery experience,” stated another patient.

How Much Does Spine Surgery Cost In India?

The cost of spine surgery in India varies depending on the type of procedure, hospital, and city. Generally, it ranges from ₹1,50,000 to ₹8,00,000 or more. In USD, this equates to approximately $2,000 to $10,000.

Factors influencing cost include the complexity of the surgery, the need for implants, and the facility’s reputation. Medical tourists often find spine surgery in India more affordable than in many Western countries, with comparable quality of care, making it an attractive destination for those seeking cost-effective solutions.

Conclusion

Making spine surgery safe involves a blend of skilled surgeons and cutting-edge technology. The risks have significantly dropped with advancements like high-definition microscopes, precise instruments, and neuromonitoring. Choosing an experienced surgeon, utilizing modern tools, and focusing on post-surgery care are key. Remember, it’s like a team effort – your active participation and medical expertise pave the way for a safer spine surgery journey, ensuring you recover well.